RSC America

Our plays regularly tour the US and are broadcast in cinemas across the United States. Find out more here, and how to support RSC America.

We have a long history with America. There have been actors from Stratford-upon-Avon touring with Shakespeare plays since at least 1913, the year the Stratford Players did a tour of 25 cities in the US. A century later, in 2013, our Live from Stratford-upon-Avon cinema broadcasts were unveiled to the public, and we look forward to what the next 100 years hold for the relationship with our audiences in the United States.

Current activity in America

From 7 April to 29 April 2018 the RSC returns to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) with Gregory Doran’s critically acclaimed production of King Learstarring Sir Antony Sher in the title role. Booking opens to the General Public on 16 January via bam.org.uk.

Following the run of King Lear at BAM, our contemporary version of Hamletwill transfer to Washington's Kennedy Center for six performances from 2 to 6 May 2018, directed by Simon Godwin. To book tickets for Hamlet at the Kennedy Center please visit kennedy-center.org.

We continue to screen our Royal Shakespeare Theatre performances in cinemas across the world. To find out what screenings are happening near you, please visit our In Cinemas page of the website.

Alex Hassell as Henry V in our 2016 touring production of King and Country: Shakepeare's Great Cycle of Kings

RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran

Our work in America

If, as he crossed London Bridge on his way to the theatre, Shakespeare had glanced down towards the water below, he may have seen the many galleons and merchant ships preparing to sail distant seas dotted with lush, green, spice islands. The taverns on the quayside would ring with the yarns of mariners, and echo with tall tales from faraway places. Shakespeare was clearly fascinated by this brave new world, and America was a source of great mystery and endless opportunity.

Our work with American actors, directors, and playwrights, has allowed us much more than an exchange of creativity: it allows us to celebrate Shakespeare as a precious, shared asset between our two nations. Shakespeare is the English-language playwright and poet. It is this belief in his importance that underpins our commitment to his work, whether that is on the stage or in the classroom, here in Stratford-upon-Avon, or anywhere in the world.

RSC Executive Director Catherine Mallyon

How you can support our work in America

The Royal Shakespeare Company is proud of its long and close relationship with America. It is a relationship which has continued to develop and, over the past 50 years, the RSC has visited over 40 US cities, making many friends and supporters along the way. We are extremely grateful to RSC America for all the help and support.

Through the dedicated work of our RSC America Board and US Advisory Council, we have established a core of American donors who make a crucial contribution to the ongoing work of the company. Past donations have enabled us to commission new plays by playwrights from around the world and allowed us to continue with our Artist Development programme, which gives actors the opportunity to progress their skills on stage through diverse training.

In April 2013, we opened our production of Matilda The Musical at The Shubert Theater on Broadway with our producing partners, The Dodgers, and it played to packed houses until it closed in January 2017. And, of course, every year we welcome thousands of American visitors to our productions and Shakespeare’s home, here in Stratford-upon-Avon. All our company - whether acting, directing, writing, or working as technical, Front of House, or administrative staff - collaborate to produce excellent, innovative, and moving live theatre experiences. We are so pleased to share this with visitors from America and around the world.

RSC America Board

RSC America is an independent organisation based in New York, incorporated in Delaware as a non-profit corporation. It has federal tax exempt status under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). It supports the RSC’s activities in the UK, the US and throughout the world.

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